1. Secondary Research
Having decided on portrait photography for my final major project which will tackle
the subject of mental health with each image representing what it is like to live with
various mental health illnesses, I therefore conducted secondary research in which I
have found and analysed a number of images which portray mental illnesses in some
form.
Toby Dixon - Split Personality Portraits
Toby Dixon is an award winning stills and motion photographer based in Sydney
Theme or focus of images?
It is clear that these portraits are portraying two halves of a person, one being
portrayed as sophisticated and serious in contrast to the other being more casual
and laid back. Both images could be interpreted in more than one way, the first
being the two sides to a person that possesses everyone, the more sophisticated side
to a person in the work place and the laid back side to us when out with friends.
However another way in which these images can be interpreted, the way in which
Toby intended was that it represents the mental health illness Dissociative Identity
Disorder (AKA: Multiple Personality Disorder) in which a person possesses one or more
distinct identities often formed to help a person cope with different aspects of their
lives usually due to an extreme traumatic experience, each identity has their own
age, interests, even postures and gestures. Toby cleverly expresses these distinct
identities through his dramatic emphasis on the two halves through costume and
make up. Not only does the type of costumes express the two distinct identities but
also his choice of colour anchors this, with the first half of each portrait wearing
vibrant colours such as sky blue and yellow, both of which have happy, sunny
connotations in contrast to the dark costume colours in the second half, therefore this
could anchor the dark negative aspects of living with this mental health illness.
Toby chose specifically to use a plain dark background therefore all focus is on the
two models who stand out against it therefore preventing us from being distracted.
Also the choice of using a grey background emphasizes the sadness which
accompanies this mental health illness, due to grey having dull connotations such as
sadness. Direct mode of address has been used therefore making the portraits feel
more personal to the person viewing it.

2. Composition?
Toby has chose specifically to use a mid shot for these images whilst standing directly
in front of the models, therefore allowing us to see the distinct difference in the
costume's whilst also giving us a clear, in focus shot of the models faces. Also this
particular shot again makes the portraits feel more personal due to us being close up
to the models.
Techniques used?
Although these portraits look as though image manipulation has been used in order
to merge the two halves together, Toby in fact worked with his friend using clever
make up and styling to achieve these two merged styles therefore no image
manipulation was used. In terms of the rule of thirds, on both images the intersecting
lines are placed on the models faces therefore making this the focal point of the
images.
Strengths and weaknesses? how will it influence my work?
I really like these images due to the fact that they are very simple in regards to
composition and image manipulation, however they still effectively represent a very
complex mental health condition through the clever idea of dramatically contrasting
two halves of a person, whilst also representing the sadness which accompanies the
illness through the colour choice of grey. This will influence my work due to the fact
that when attempting to portray this illness through my own photography work, I too
will use a dramatic contrast in the colour of clothing.
Bipolar
http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/268/b/a/b_is_for_bipolar_disorder_by_tashythemushroom-d2zfysr.jpg
I am unsure as to who the photographer of this particular image, however I have
provided the web link as to where I found this image
Theme or focus of the image?
Looking at this image it is clear that it is in someway representing the state of a
persons mind. The photographer has chose specifically use blur the motion of a
young girl screaming therefore creating the effect that their is two versions of the
young girl therefore representing the two dramatic symptoms of Bipolar Disorder,
Depression and Mania. Bipolar Disorder is an illness in which sufferers experience
disrupted mood swings which dramatically impact on their day to day life, the
photographers choice to blur the motion in this particular image cleverly represents
the chaos and disruption caused by this illness. Also their choice to have the image in

3. black and white anchors the negative symptoms accompanying this illness such as
depression as well as the stigma commonly associated with mental illnesses.
Composition?
Like the previous images I looked at, the photographer has chose to use a mid shot,
focusing on the young girls face and facial expressions, therefore anchoring the fact
that this image is representing the state of someone's mind. Again by being so close
up to the model it creates a more personal feel for the person viewing the image and
a sense of trust, almost like the person within the image is trusting us to give us an
insight as to what it is like to live with that particular illness.
Techniques used?
When capturing this image the photographer would have used a slow shutter speed
therefore blurring the motion of the young girl screaming. In terms of the rule of thirds
the intersecting lines are positioned on the blurred motion of the young girls head,
therefore making this the primary focus of the image and as a result emphasizing the
fact that this image is portraying the mental state of a person.
Strengths and weaknesses? how will it influence my work?
The main thing I like most about this particular image is the photographers choice to
blur the motion of the girl screaming, therefore representing the disruption and chaos
on a persons everyday life caused by mental health illnesses, this will influence my
work due to the fact that i myself will use blurred motion as a way of demonstrating
chaos when producing my own images.
Christian Hopkins - Depression
Christian Hopkins is a 20 year old photographer who uses photography as a form of
art therapy in relation to himself battling clinical depression, therefore enabling him to
create images which give us an insight as to what it is like to live with depression.
What is the theme or focus of the image?
The above image consists of a man with no face lay on a mattress, although a simple
idea it cleverly portrays the complex mental health condition clinical depression in
various ways. Firstly we have the fact that the image itself is of a darker blue tone,
therefore representing the constant sad mood, the depression itself whilst creating a
sad mood for the person viewing the image. The fact that the person within the
image is lying in a plain, bare room, consisting of only a mattress represents the
isolation and loneliness felt by sufferers of depression. Christian has chose specifically
to have the light shining through the window, so we know it is day, however the man

4. is still lying on the mattress therefore representing one of the main symptoms of
depression which is increased desire to sleep. Another clever way in which Christian
has effectively used the light shining in from the window is that he chose to have the
man lay facing away from the light with his back to it, therefore representing the lack
of hope and faith suffers from depression feel in regards to things ever getting better,
the lack of ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Christian has also decided
to portray the man with no face, almost as though he has no identity anymore, the
depression has taken over who he was and the fact that the man is holding a mask
represents one of the most common ideologies associated with depression is that it is
a silent illness in which sufferers tend to wear a mask on a daily basis, pretending that
everything is ok when around people in contrast to when the mask is removed once
they are on their own.
Composition?
In contrast to the previous images I looked at, or this particular image Christian has
chose specifically to use a long shot therefore capturing not only the man within the
image but also the isolated room surrounding him, therefore anchoring the
emptiness, loneliness and isolation felt by a person who suffers from depression, using
any closer shots wouldn't have been able to achieve this portrayal.
Techniques used?
In terms of techniques used there are minimal obvious techniques used within this
image, although their may have been some image manipulation in order to
emphasize the blue tones within the image.
Strengths and weaknesses? how will this influence my work?
The main thing I like about this image is the lever use of a mask to represent the
psychological mask many suffers of depression wear on a daily basis when
surrounded by people. I also like way in which Christian used a long shot in order to
demonstrate the isolation felt by sufferers, Christians work will influence my own due to
the fact that I intend to use both these ideas, although in separate images when
producing my own images.
Schizophrenia
http://embracelife.deviantart.com/art/Schizophrenia-181405557
Again I am unsure of the photographer of this particular image, however i have
provided the link of the website on which I found the image.
Theme or focus of the image?

5. This particular image focuses on one of the most severe and complex mental health
illnesses Schizophrenia, which is probably why I found this image so engaging and
striking. Sufferers of Schizophrenia results in the failure to recognize what is real and
what is not, accompanied by symptoms such as auditory hallucinations, visual
hallucinations and delusions. The abandoned, half demolished bathroom represents
the destruction and chaos caused by this serious mental health illnesses. One of the
most haunting things about this photograph is a pair of hands appearing out of one
of the cracks in the walls, trying to grab the woman in the bath therefore representing
the haunting and terrifying experiences people with this mental illness can suffer. the
woman has also got her hands on her ears therefore representing the auditory
hallucinations which also accompany this illness. The main concept of this idea is very
intriguing, by taking a simple task such as sitting in a bath which all of us regularly do
but portraying this task as a terrifying experience by emphasizing the haunting
symptoms schizophrenia sufferers experience represents the huge impact that an
illness like schizophrenia can have on a persons day to day life.
Composition?
In terms of composition the photographer has chose to use a long shot therefore
enabling us to see the destruction and chaos surrounding the woman suffering from
this illness.
Techniques used?
Unlike the previous images I have looked at, the photographer of this particular
image has chosen specifically to use high key-key lighting, although low-key lighting is
very effective when portraying mental illnesses through photography due to it
representing the scary and negative symptoms which accompany them, the high
key lighting within this image works effectively due to the fact that we as a viewer get
a clear view of what it is like to lose touch with reality.
Strengths and weaknesses? how will this influence my work?
The main thing I like about this image is that it creates a haunting feeling for the
person viewing it, which I intend to do with some of the images I produce in order to
achieve this the photographer has portrayed this illness by emphasizing the surreal
symptoms which accompany it.
Anorexia/Bulimia
Again I am unsure of who the photographer of this image is.
Theme or focus of image?

6. This particular image tackles one of the most fatal mental health illnesses, people who
suffer from anorexia focus excessively on their weight ensuring that their weight is kept
at the smallest size possible due to an unrealistic and obscured view of themselves in
terms of weight. Although this image is very simple it effectively portrays anorexia and
the way in which sufferers have an obscured view of themselves in a very powerful
way, with a very skinny model staring into a mirror, with an over weight model staring
back at her. Low key lighting has been used therefore producing a lot of black in the
image which connotes death as a result anchoring the dark fatal illness itself.
Composition?
The photographer of this image has chosen specifically to use a long shot, therefore
enabling us to see the full extent of damage this illness can have on a person. He also
decided to capture from behind the model so that we can see the reflection in the
mirror.
Techniques used?
In terms of techniques, image manipulation would of had to be used in order to
achieve the reflection in the mirror.
Strengths and weaknesses? how will this influence my work?
The main thing I liked about this image was the idea of portraying a persons obscured
identity through the reflection of a mirror. With many mental health illnesses having
accompanying symptoms which result in a persons obscured identity, i would like to
interpret this idea into my own work.
After looking at numerous images which tackle the state of mind of someone
suffering a mental illnesses, it has provided me with not only more information relating
to the various different types of mental illnesses, but also providing me with a number
of ideas which i will use as inspiration when producing my own images.